Find out how popular the last name Wisbey is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wisbey.

Wisbey, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Wisbey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wisbey in America

Wisbey is the 77264th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wisbey surname appeared 248 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wisbey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wisbey to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Wisbey

The surname Wisbey traces its roots back to England, specifically to the medieval period. The name is believed to have originated from the village of Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, England. The name 'Wisbech' itself comes from the Old English words 'wisc,' meaning 'marsh,' and 'bece,' meaning 'stream,' collectively referring to a 'stream in a marshy place.'

Historically, the Wisbey surname appears in various old records and manuscripts. One of the earliest references can be found in the Assize Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dating back to the 13th century, where the name John de Wisbech is listed. The presence of 'de' suggests geographic origin, directly linking individuals with the village of Wisbech.

Another historical document that references the surname is the Subsidy Rolls. For example, a record from 1327 lists a Robert de Wysbech, who resided in the same region. This different spelling indicates the variability in medieval English orthography, with 'Wysbech' eventually simplifying to Wisbey over time.

Among the early notable individuals bearing the surname Wisbey was Thomas Wisbey, who lived during the 16th century. Born around 1540, he is recorded as having been involved in local governance in Cambridgeshire. His contributions provide a glimpse into the family's social standing during that period.

George Wisbey, another significant figure, was born in 1656 and was an influential landowner in East Anglia. His role as a justice of the peace underlined the prominence of the Wisbey family in regional affairs during the late 17th century.

In the 18th century, Samuel Wisbey made notable strides in the field of agriculture. Born in 1723, he was known for his innovations in farming practices, contributing to the agrarian history of Cambridgeshire. His efforts in land management and crop rotation were well-documented in local historical records.

Moving into the 19th century, Reverend John Wisbey was a prominent clergyman, born in 1802. His work in the Anglican Church spanned several parishes in Cambridgeshire, and he published numerous theological texts contributing to religious education at the time.

Lastly, Clara Wisbey, born in 1884, was a writer and social activist. She championed the rights of women and the poor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her writings and campaigns brought significant attention to social justice issues of her time.

The surname Wisbey carries with it a rich historical tapestry linked to the village of Wisbech, showcasing a legacy interwoven with governance, land management, religion, and social activism over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wisbey

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wisbey.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wisbey was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wisbey has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Wisbey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Wisbey, please contact us.

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